OKINAWA, Japan — Department of Defense Education Activity Okinawa District is pleased to welcome top-notch local high school basketball teams to compete in the 7th Annual Okinawan-American Friendship Basketball Tournament.

WHO: Basketball teams from Kadena HS, Kubasaki HS, Chatan HS, Ginowan HS, Konan HS, Oroku HS, Gushikawa HS, Haebaru HS, Yokatsu HS will compete. This event is free and open to the public. The tournament is sponsored by the American Consulate General of Naha and DoDEA Okinawa District. It is co-sponsored by the Okinawa Basketball Association, 18th Mission Support Squadron, Kadena Risner Gym, and the Ryukyu Golden Kings.

WHAT: A basketball tournament between American and Okinawan high school teams. The tournament will be divided into a Boys Division and Girls Division. Teams will have pool play, and then seeded play. Each team will play a minimum of three games.

WHY: The purpose of the tournament is to deepen the friendship between students, coaches and parents of both Okinawan and American schools through their shared love of basketball.

CONTACT: For more information contact Fred Bales at 090-1518-2888 or Jason Gusler at 090-9577-4772

The Department of Defense Dependent Schools Okinawa District is one of four school districts within the Department of Defense Education Activity Pacific Region. DoDEA Pacific provides a comprehensive preK-12 education to the children of military and eligible civilian personnel families serving throughout Asia. DoDEA Okinawa District is composed of 13 schools, approximately 7,000 students and 950 professional educators and support staff. To learn more, visit http://www.okinawa.pac.dodea.edu.